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Sony Bravia KDL-46EX723

While positioned as a keenly priced mainstream LED offering, the Bravia KDL-EX723 could pass for an escapee from further up Sony’s range. Its striking angled design and textured finish look inherently classy, and there’s access to the gated Sony Entertainment Network, home of streaming IPTV services both deep and shallow; Wi-Fi is integrated (firmware updatable to Wi-Fi Direct), which combined gives it an edge over many rivals here.

While the set sports a stripped back Motionflow XR200 picture processor, it delivers contrasty, detailed images that nip at the heals of the best performers. The panel can also display panoramic 3D snapshots, which is fun. If there is an Achilles’ heel, it’s with network file support, which isn’t as comprehensive as some of the competition. Still, the price tag remains surprisingly approachable.

Toshiba Regza 42YL863

While you’d never knowingly select this Freeview HD TV for network file playback, it’s certainly worth short-listing if you’re after above average high-def screen at a reasonable price. Designed by Danish auteur Jacob Jenson and built around Toshiba’s CEVO Engine picture processor, the slick, silver Regza YL863 delivers where it counts: its HD images prickle with fine detail, and SD is artfully upscaled.

The screen sports both Freeview HD and satellite DVB-S2 tuners, offers a moderately useful on-line portal (you get BBC iPlayer and YouTube) and features an eco mode that dims the screen when no one is around. ®